Visible strip for wire fences



. (No Model M. M. SHELLABERGER.

VISIBLE STRIP FOR WIRE FENCES.

No. 586,068, Patented July 6, 189*7.

Will MOM UNiTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL SHELLABERGER, OF BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE DE KALB FENCE COMPANY, OF DE KALB, ILLINOIS.

VISIBLE STRIP FOR WIRE FENCES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 586,068, dated July 6, 1897.

Application filed June 30,1891. Serial No. 898,090. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MICHAEL M. SHELLA- BERGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beaver Falls, in the county of Beaver 5 and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Visible Strips for Fences and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a visible strip for use in connect-ion with wire fences; and it has for its object to provide a cheap and ornamental device which may be readily seen by the cattle and which may be quickly and cheaply manufactured by machinery.

WVith this object in view my improved strip consists, essentially, of two parallel strands and a cross or bracewire, which connects the strands at intervals and crosses the intervening space in a zigzag direction, the angles of the zigzag wire being provided with coils, which engage or mesh with corresponding coils in the strands at the points of intersection. I am aware that it is old to provide a fence strip consisting of parallel strands which are connected and held at the desired interval by a cross-wire in a zigzag form the angles of which are folded around the strands. This construction, however, does not prevent the cross-wire from sliding upon the strands, and therefore the structure is not integral, for the reason that the cross-wire does not assist the strands in resisting a longitudinal strain. Thus if a heavy weight is thrown against an intermediate portion of the strip the angles of the cross-wire slide longitudinally upon the strands and draw the latter more closely together, thus distorting the strip.

In my improved strip the strands are unreeled from suitable spools,and the cross wire, carried by a rotary head, is coiled alternately around the parallel strands, the strain upon the cross-wire during the operation being sufficient to produce corresponding coils in the strands at the points of intersection,

whereby the cross-wire is interlocked, at each intersection, with the strands and independent movement of the parts or members of the strip is prevented.

My invention consists, further, in certain details of construction, which will be more fully described in connection with the drawing, wherein the figure is a view of a fencestrip embodying my invention.

Referring by letter to the drawing, A A represent the continuous strands, which are parallel throughout and are arranged at an interval of from two to three inches, and 0 represents a continuous cross-wire by which the strands are united. The cross-Wire is arranged in a zigzag form and it intersects the parallel strands alternately, the intersection with one of the strands being midway between two intersections with the other strand, the intermediate portions of the cross-wire be ing arranged at about an angle of forty-five degrees to the strands. The zigzag crosswire is provided at its angles or points of intersection with the strands with coils D, of two or more wraps, the strands being provided at the same points with corresponding coils E, and the coils D and E are engaged or interlocked, as clearly shown in the drawing.

The coils in the strands are formed by straining the cross-wire as the latter is applied, and by this arrangement the angles of the cross-wire are locked or fixed firmly to the desired points of the strands, so that the independent movement is prevented. The coils in the strands cannot be straightened by a longitudinal strain, for the reason that the coils of the cross-wire mesh snuglythere with and prevent change of shape.

In the strip which is shown in the drawing the cross-wire is coiled around both strands in the same direction, whereby the intermediate portions of the cross-wire lie alternately upon opposite sides of the plane of the strands. In manufacturing this strip the twister is rotated always in the same direction.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,

1. Astrip consisting of two continuous parallel strands and a continuous zigzag crossthe coils in the strands substantially as speci- IO Wire, intersecting said strands alternately, fied. and twisted With the strands at the point of I11 testimony whereof I affix my signature intersection, substantially as specified. in the presence of tWo Witnesses. 5 2. Astrip consisting; of tWo continuous pari allel strands provided at intervals with coils, MICHAEL SHELLABERGER' and a continuous zigzag cross-Wire intersect- Vitnesses: ing the said strands alternately and provided HENRY O. LYON, at its angles With coils Which intermesh With M. P. HOWLEY. 

